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Summary: This article reports on an interview and podcast with educational researcher Edward Fergus of Temple University on the impact of SEL on educational equity in school discipline practices. The findings noted that SEL held on "limited promise" in correcting existing inequities in school discipline. Source: Jenny Abamu, EdSurge, April 10, 2018 Description: "Often we consider social-emotional learning as a tool f Read more

Summary: This is the story of a student-initiated and student-run club at Cherry Hill High School East that addresses the issue of bullying on and off the athletic fields of the school. This club was started by one student athlete who wanted to do something positive about bullying in the school. This is a great example of student empowerment and how students can make a positive difference in their school and communit Read more

Summary: This article presents three challenges inspired by Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People that will help students develop social skills that will serve students for a lifetime. While social skills are extremely important in today’s world, they often are not a part of the curriculum itself. As such, it often falls on teachers to invent their own creative ways to help foster and gr Read more

Summary: This is a conversation with Dan Losen who says charters need to stop using zero-tolerance policies and suspending students at high rates. The zero tolerance policy know as “broken windows” often punishes students from minority groups as well as special education students at a disproportional rate. Losen refers to a new study in his comments on this issue. Source: Jennifer Berkshire, HuffPost Educ Read more

Summary: This is a radio interview with Maurice Elias and Nancy Flanagan on the subject of redirecting misbehavior. They offer some suggested strategies for redirection as opposed to punishment that will help the child function successfully in the classroom environment. Source: Rae Pica, Studentcentricity, BAM!radio Network Description: When students misbehave the entire class can be affected. Mishandling misbehaving Read more

Summary: This article reports on a five-year, $5 million federal study is underway in California to help examine school safety issues and the role school climate has on the social and emotional safety of students. Source: Amelia Harper, Education DIVE, April 5, 2018 Description: "The findings, which are set to be released in 2022, will examine elements such as school discipline policies, suspension rates, the treat Read more

Summary: This article presents a case for alternate discipline measures rather than detention and in-school suspension. These methods include student reflection, coaching, rewarding good behavior, restorative justice, and outside counseling. These alternate methods are non-punitive and focus on learning and behavior modification to help students improve their behavior. Source: James Paterson, District Administration, Read more

Summary: At Harwood Union High School, students help shape every aspect of school life, including instruction. Source: Catherine Gewertz, Education Week, June 2, 2016 Description: On a winding road in rural New England, students are pushing the boundaries of their power to shape the way they learn and how their school runs. Unlike most American high schools, student leadership at Harwood Union High School isn’t Read more

Summary: Most of the discussion around the disproportionality of black students’ suspension or expulsion from K-12 schools has focused on boys. Only more recently have researchers begun to surface the numbers of black girls who are subject to severe disciplinary measures in schools, including by school resource officers. Source: Education Week Commentary, June 2, 2016 Description: For this special Commentary pa Read more

Summary: This article suggests that when students act out, there are alternatives to the stern discipline approach. One of these alternatives is trauma-sensitive teaching where teachers understand that outbursts can be the result of negative social-emotional factors including neglect, abuse, or even violence. Creating “Classrooms of Care” should be a goal to help all students achieve. Source: Rebecca Albe Read more